FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 17, 2024
Contact: Sudan Britton
Communication/Grants Coordinator
O: 832-947-5634
C: 346-762-0344
sudan.britton@texanacenter.com
Recognition Day at Texana Center: Honoring the Graduates of the Apprenticeship Program
(ROSENBERG, TX.) — Texana Center’s second annual Vocational Apprenticeship Program honored 11 apprentices who graduated and received a certificate from the Texas Health and Human Services Vocational Apprenticeship Program.
Several apprentices gained job employment from local businesses and schools in Fort Bend and Wharton County after completing the program’s requirements.
“I thank God for all the people that I worked with. The job coaches couldn’t have been any different, they’re like family,” Stephanie Torres, apprentice said.
The Texas Health and Human Services Vocational Apprenticeship Program serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and those with mental health conditions living in the state of Texas.
“Texana Center has been blessed to have this program for three years. The success of this program is due to the great team of job coaches and instructors we have working with the apprentices, and local businesses we partner with to provide the people we serve an opportunity to receive hands-on employment training,” Kevin Barker, Director of IDD Provider Services said.
This 12-month program offers vocational training in a supported integrated setting by providing classroom education and workforce experience. Once enrolled in the program, instructors and job coaches will work with each apprentice to help improve resume writing, job searching, interviewing training, social skills, money management, and more.
“We want to make sure these individuals have a feeling of self-worth. They live in our communities, they are hardworking individuals, and they are capable of earning a paycheck and that means a lot to them,” Vivian Felder, Fort Bend County Supported Employment Coordinator said.
Each apprentice will learn the necessary job skills needed to enter the workforce to earn an income. The person must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent, good attendance, self-care etiquette, and basic communication skills to be eligible for the program.
“This is a great program, and we want to thank the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and their team for creating a successful program to help local businesses meet their needs for a reliable workforce,” Barker said.
Sudan Britton
Communication/Grants Coordinator
2330 Graeber Rd, Rosenberg, Texas, 77471
